Docking means for medical system comprising examination device and patient support device

ABSTRACT

A medical system for examination of a patient, comprising an examination device ( 1 ), a patient support device ( 13,15 ), and docking means for connecting both said devices to each other. The docking means comprises a first part ( 21 ) provided with a guiding member ( 57 ) and a second part ( 19 ) provided with guiding elements ( 61,63 ) for contacting the guiding surface ( 59 ). Each of said parts ( 19,21 ) is attached to one of said devices. The guiding member ( 57 ) comprises two substantially vertical guiding surfaces ( 59 ), positioned symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane through the device ( 1 ) to which the first part ( 21 ) of the docking means is attached. The distance between said two guiding surfaces ( 59 ) decreases further away from the device ( 1 ) to which said first part ( 21 ) is attached.

The invention is related to a medical system for examination ortreatment of a patient, comprising an examination device, a patientsupport device, and docking means for connecting both said devices toeach other, the docking means comprising a first part provided with aguiding member having a guiding surface and a second part provided withguiding elements for contacting the guiding surface, whereby each ofsaid parts is attached to one of said devices.

Although the medical system according to the invention can be anexamination system as well as a treatment system, the system will bereferred to as examination system. In consequence, the medicalexamination system and the examination device as described in thespecification and in the claims also include a medical treatment systemand a treatment device respectively.

The system may be a medical imaging system, whereby images can be madeof the entrails of the body of a patient by making use of magneticresonance imaging methods. The examination device of such systemcomprises an electrical coil system for generating a varying magneticfield and radio-frequency signals in an examination volume, in which thepatient is to be placed. The electrical coil system also receivesradio-frequency signals generated by the body of the patient in responseto the radio-frequency signals generated by the coil system.

The patient support device can be a trolley provided with a horizontalbed, i.e. a support unit on which the patient can lie. By making use ofthe docking means, the trolley can be connected to the examinationdevice, after which the bed—with the patient lying on it—can bedisplaced from the trolley into said examination volume of theexamination device, so that the patient can be subjected to anexamination. After examination of the body of the patient the bed withthe patient is displaced to the trolley again, so that the patientsupport device can be disconnected from the examination device and canbe moved away. By making use of more then one patient support device,the examination device can be used intensively.

Before the patient support device can be connected to the examinationdevice, the patient support device must be positioned at an exactlocation and in an exact position with respect to the examinationdevice. That location and position is difficult to find by the humanoperator of the patient support device. However, it is not recommendedto move the patient support device to the exact target location andposition by means of automatic motions and the like, because of safetyreasons. The operator should always remain in control of the movement ofthe patient support device.

An object of the invention is to provide docking means for connecting apatient support device to a medical examination device, whereby aneffective and efficient docking operation can take place.

In order to accomplish that objective, the guiding member comprises twosubstantially vertical guiding surfaces, positioned symmetrically withrespect to a vertical plane through the device to which the first partof the docking means is attached, whereby the distance between said twoguiding surfaces decreases further away from the device to which saidfirst part is attached. Such two guiding surfaces push the second partof the docking means in the correct position when the guiding elementsare moving against it towards the device to which said first part of thedocking means is attached.

Preferably, said first part of the docking means is attached to themedical examination device, and said second part is attached to thepatient support device. Especially in case more then one patient supportdevice is used in combination with one medical examination device it isadvantageously to have the more complex part of the docking meansattached to the medical examination device.

In one preferred embodiment said guiding member is movable with respectto the said first part. Thereby the guiding member can positively guidethe movement of the patient support device before it reaches its finalposition. Especially in case the patient support device is riding overthe floor by hinging rollers, an additional movement of the devicefacilitates exact positioning of the device.

Preferably, said guiding member is movable in one horizontal directiontowards and away from the device to which said first part is attached,whereby means for pushing the guiding member in a position away fromthat device may be present. After said second part of the docking meanscontacts the guiding member, the patient support device can bepositioned relative to the guiding member during its movement in saidhorizontal direction.

In one preferred embodiment said guiding member is a substantialhorizontal plate-like element, whereby the edge of said plate-likeelement forms said guiding surface. Said plate-like element may form theupper wall of the first part of the docking means.

Preferably, said docking means are located at the lower parts of saiddevices, i.e. near the floor on which the examination device is placedand on which the patient support device is moved. Such low location ofthe docking means increases the stability of the devices during andafter the docking operation.

Preferably, said guiding element for contacting the guiding surfacecomprises a roller that can roll over said guiding surface, ensuring asmooth movement of said second part of the docking means relative to theguiding member.

In one preferred embodiment said first part of the docking meanscomprises damping means for braking down the movement of the guidemember when it reaches its final position whereby the two parts of thedocking means are interconnected. Thereby said damping means maycomprise a pneumatic cylinder counter-acting the movement of the guidingmember, especially the last portion of the movement towards the deviceto which said first part is attached. Such damping action increasescomfort for the patient as well as for the operator of the dockingaction, and avoids damage of the system.

Preferably, coupling means are present for fixing said first part tosaid second part of the docking means after the two parts are movedtowards each other. Said coupling means may comprise two protrusions ofsaid second part and two corresponding recesses in said first part, therecesses being located at both substantial vertical opposite sides ofsaid first part, whereby preferably said recesses and portions of saidfirst part near said recesses can move towards each other.

In one preferred embodiment the docking means comprise a connector forpower and/or signals, which connector comprises a first portion in saidfirst part and a second portion in said second part of the dockingmeans, whereby said portions are movable towards each other for mutualengagement after both said devices are connected to each other. At thatmoment the two portions are positioned in an exact predetermined mutualposition, so that a simple linear movement of one of the portions willresult in said mutual engagement. Such docking of the two portions ofthe connector can take place automatically by an actuator after thedocking operation of the two parts of the docking means has terminated.

The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter by means of adescription of an embodiment of a medical system, in which reference ismade to a drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a medical examination system,

FIG. 2 shows the system in another position,

FIG. 3 is a front view of the medical examination system,

FIG. 4 shows the first part of the docking means,

FIG. 5 shows the first part of the docking means in more detail,

FIG. 6 shows the second part of the docking means,

FIG. 7 shows the first part of the docking means without the guidingmember, and

FIG. 8 shows a portion of the first part of the docking means.

The figures are merely schematic representations of the embodiment, inwhich less relevant parts are not shown.

The medical examination system shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is a magneticresonance imaging system of the so-called open type. The system can makeimages of the entrails of a patient by using a magnetic resonanceimaging method. The medical examination system comprises an examinationdevice 1 having a lower coil system housing 3 and an upper coil systemhousing 5, which accommodate an electrical coil system. The coil systemitself is not shown in the figures, and it can be of a kind that isknown per se. Between the lower coil system housing 3 and the upper coilsystem housing 5, an examination volume 7 is present, in which thepatient is to be placed. Two vertical columns 9,11 of the examinationdevice 1 interconnect the lower coil system housing 3 and the upper coilsystem housing 5.

During operation of the medical examination system, the coil systemgenerates a varying magnetic field and radio-frequency signals in theexamination volume 7. In response to the radio-frequency signalsgenerated by the coil system, the patient's body generatesradio-frequency signals, which are received by the coil system and areprocessed into an image of the patient's body.

The medical examination system further comprises a patient supportdevice consisting of a horizontal bed 13 and a mobile carrier 15,carrying the horizontal bed 13. The mobile carrier 15 is a trolley thatis mobile by means of rolling members 17 and that can be connected tothe examination device 1 by docking means 19,21. A first part 21 of thedocking means is attached to the examination device 1, in particular atthe front side 23 of the lower coil system housing 3. A second part 19of the docking means is attached to the mobile carrier 15. The dockingmeans 19,21 are only schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

By making use of the docking means 19,21 the mobile carrier 15 of thepatient support device can be mechanically coupled to and uncoupled fromthe lower coil system housing 3, so that the horizontal bed 13 can bebrought in a pre-defined stable position relative to the examinationdevice 1.

Since the patient support device 13,15 is mobile, it can be moved withthe patient lying on it. Thereby it can transport the patient from themedical examination device 1 to, for example, a separate preparationroom, where the patient was prepared before the examination, or toanother medical examination or treatment device to undergo a subsequentexamination or treatment. Preferably the medical system comprises atleast two patient support devices 13,15. In this manner, a next patientcan be prepared during the examination or treatment of the precedingpatient. As a result, the medical system can be efficiently used.

In the docked position of the mobile carrier 15 shown in FIG. 1, thehorizontal bed 13—with the patient lying on it—can be displaced relativeto the mobile carrier 15 and relative to the examination device 1 in afirst horizontal direction X. Thereby the bed can be moved from a firstposition shown in FIG. 1 to a second position shown in FIG. 2. In saidfirst position the bed 13 is fully supported by the mobile carrier 15and in said second position the bed 13 is present in the examinationvolume 7 of the examination device 1. For that purpose, the mobilecarrier 15 is provided with a first guide member 25 which, in the dockedcondition of the mobile carrier 15, extends in the first horizontaldirection X and co-operates with guide elements 27 provided on the bed13. The examination device 1 is provided with a second guide member 29,which is present in the examination volume 7 and extends in the firsthorizontal direction X and which, in the docked condition of the mobilecarrier 15, is in line with said first guide member 25.

The mobile carrier 15 further comprises a first displacement device fordisplacing the horizontal bed 13 along said first guide member 25 andalong said second guide member 29 into the examination volume 7 and,after the examination of the patient, out of the examination volume 7again. Said first displacement device may be of a conventional kind andmay be provided, for example, with an elongate push-pull member 31,shown in FIG. 2, which is fastened to the bed 13 and is driven by anelectrical motor provided in the mobile carrier 15. When the horizontalbed 13 is displaced by said first displacement device into theexamination volume 7, the guiding and supporting functions of said firstguide member 25 of the mobile carrier 15 are taken over by said secondguide member 29. When the bed 13 is displaced out of the examinationvolume 7, the guiding and supporting functions of said second guidemember 29 are taken over again by said first guide member 25.

As shown in FIG. 3, the medical examination system further comprises asecond displacement device 33 by means of which the horizontal bed 13,in the docked condition of the mobile carrier 15, can be displacedrelative to the examination device 1 in a second horizontal direction Ytransverse to the first horizontal direction X. The portion of thepatient's body to be examined can be brought in a correct positionrelative to the examination device 1 by displacing the patient relativeto the examination device 1 in said second horizontal direction Y.

In order to allow the horizontal bed 13 to be displaced in the secondhorizontal direction Y relative to examination device 1 in a stablemanner, said second displacement device 33 is provided on the lower coilhousing 3 of the examination device 1. Thereby the first part 21 of thedocking means is moved relative to examination device 1 in said secondhorizontal direction Y. FIG. 3 only schematically shows said seconddisplacement device 33 by means of broken lines. FIG. 4 schematicallyshows the main parts of said second displacement device 33.

Said second displacement device 33 comprises a linear guide member 35,which extends in the second horizontal direction Y. Linear guide member35 is mounted to a frame member 37 which is attached to the lower coilsystem housing 3. The first part 21 of the docking means, which is onlyschematically shown in FIG. 4, comprises a guide element 39 forco-operating with said linear guide member 35.

The second displacement device 33 further comprises a spindle 41, whichalso extends in said second horizontal direction Y and which is providedwith a screw-thread not shown in FIG. 4. A first end portion 43 and asecond end portion 45 of the spindle 41 are journalled respectively in afirst bearing bush 47 and in a second bearing bush 49, both bushes aremounted to the frame 37. A third bearing bush 51, which comprises aninternal screw thread for co-operating with the screw thread of thespindle 41, is mounted to said first part 21 of the docking means. Thesecond displacement device 33 further comprises an electrical motor 53mounted to the frame member 37 for driving a gear wheel 55 which ismounted to the first end portion 43 of the spindle 41. When the gearwheel 55 is driven by the motor 53, the first part 21 of the dockingmeans 21 is displaced along the linear guide member 35 as a result ofthe co-operation between the screw-thread spindle 41 an of the thirdbearing bush 51.

With the above constitution of the second displacement device 33,movements of the horizontal bed 13 relative to the examination device 1in the second direction Y are generated in the docked condition of themobile carrier 15 by displacing the first part 21 of the docking means,together with the mobile carrier 15 and the horizontal bed 13. Therebythe rolling members 17 provide a stable support of the mobile carrier 15during its displacement in the second horizontal Y direction.

The horizontal movement in Y direction of the first part 21 of thedocking means is an option. In other embodiments of the invention, thefirst part 21 of the docking means is attached to the lower coil systemhousing 3 at a fixed location, so that it can not move in horizontaldirection.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first part 21 of the docking means,which part is attached to the examination device 1, and FIG. 6 is aperspective view of a portion of the mobile carrier 15, showing thesecond part 19 of the docking means. Both parts 19,21 and theircooperation will be described hereinafter.

FIG. 5 shows the upper side of said first part 21, which upper side isprovided with a plate-like guiding member 57. The outer edge 59 of theplate-like guiding member 57 forms a substantial vertical guidingsurface for contacting the guiding elements 61,63 (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 6 shows the lower side of a portion of the mobile carrier 15,including two of the four roller members 17. Near both corners at thefront side of the second part 19 of the docking means there are twoguiding elements 61, and at a distance of that front side there isprovided a third guiding element 63. Each of the three guiding elements61,63 is a roller, which can revolve around a vertical axis.

When the patient support device 13,15 is moved to the examination device1, the guiding elements 61,63 will contact the guiding surface 59 of theguiding member 57, i.e. de rollers 61,63 will contact the outer edge 59of the plate-like guiding member 57. When one guiding element 61contacts the guiding surface 59, the further movement of the mobilecarrier 15 will be guided by that guiding element 61 while it rolls overthe guiding surface 59. The further movement will result in a mutualposition of the two parts 19,21 of the docking means, whereby all threerollers 61,63 are in contact with the edge 59 of the guiding member 57.Thereby the two corner portions 65 of the second part 19 of the dockingmeans will contact the stops 67 at the edge 59 of the guiding member 57,so that the guiding member 57 will be moved backwards guiding the mobilecarrier 15 to its final docked position. In that final position twoprotrusions 69 of the second part 19 of the docking means will engagewith two recesses 71 in the first part 21 of the docking means,resulting in a mutual fixation of both parts 19,21 of the docking means.

In case one of the two corner portions 65 contacts a stop 67, then thepatient support device 13,15 will automatically reaches its correctfinal position after the operator pushes the patient support devicefurther towards the examination device 1, whereby the other cornerportion 65 will contact the other stop 67.

The last part of the movement of the patient support device 13,15towards the examination device 1 is damped by damping means that reducethe speed of the movement of the guiding member 57. Therefore thepatient support device 13,15 will only have a soft collision with theexamination device 1.

FIG. 5 also shows the first portion 73 of the connector for power and/orsignals, which first portion 73 can engage with the second portion 75 ofthat connector, which second portion 75 is present in the second part 19of the docking means. After the patient support device 13,15 havereached its final position, said first portion 73 can move forward tocontact said second portion 75.

FIG. 7 shows a portion of the first part 21 of the docking means withoutthe plate-like guiding member 57. Underneath the guiding member 57 thereare two snap members 77, which can pivot around the vertical pins 79.The two snap members 77 are kept in their outward position, as shown inFIG. 7, by the helical springs 81. The two snap members 77 comprise thesaid recesses 71, which can cooperate with the two protrusions 69 of thesecond part 19 of the docking means.

During the docking operation, the two protrusions 69 (FIG. 6) of thesecond part 19 of the docking means will push the two snap members 77inwards, i.e. towards each other, up to the moment that the protrusions69 reach the respective recesses 71. At that moment the snap members 77will move outwards again, forced by the two helical springs 81,resulting in the mutual fixation of the two parts 19,21 of the dockingmeans. To uncouple the two parts 19,21 of the docking means, a pneumaticcylinder 83 can pull the two snap members 77 towards each other.

Underneath the plate 87, on which the snap members 77 are mounted, thereis the first portion 73 of the connector. Said first portion 73 can moveforward to engage with the second portion 75 (see FIG. 6) of theconnector. The FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 show said first portion 73 in itsforward position, whereby two cover elements 89 are displaced away fromeach other. That forward position is established after the two parts19,21 of the docking means are connected to each other. Before the twoparts 19,21 are uncoupled, said first portion 73 returns in its backwardposition, whereby the two cover elements 89 are moved towards each otherto close the opening 91 (see FIG. 5) through which the first portion 73of the connector can move forward.

FIG. 8 shows a portion of the first part 21 of the docking means, whichportion is located underneath the plate 87 (see FIG. 7). Both coverelements 89 can pivot around vertical pin 93 and spring means (notshown) are pulling the two cover elements 89 together, so that theopening 91 (FIG. 5) is closed. Push member 95, mounted on the movingfirst portion 73 of the connector, can push the two cover elements 89outward during the forward movement of said first portion 73, so thatsaid first portion 73 can move forward through opening 91 to engage withsecond portion 75 of the connector.

The embodiment of the system as described above is merely an example; agreat many other embodiments are possible.

1. A medical system for examination or treatment of a patient,comprising an examination device, a patient support device, and dockingmeans for connecting both said devices to each other, the docking meanscomprising a first part provided with a guiding member having a guidingsurface and a second part provided with guiding elements for contactingthe guiding surface, whereby each of said parts is attached to one ofsaid devices, characterized in that the guiding member comprises twosubstantially vertical guiding surfaces, positioned symmetrically withrespect to a vertical plane through the device to which the first partof the docking means is attached, whereby the distance between said twoguiding surfaces decreases further away from the device to which saidfirst part is attached, characterized in that said guiding elementcomprises a roller.
 2. A medical system as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that said first part of the docking means is attachedto said examination device.
 3. A medical system as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that said guiding member is movable in one horizontaldirection towards and away from the device to which said first part isattached.
 4. A medical system as claimed in claim 1, characterized bymeans for pushing the guiding member in a position away from the deviceto which said first part is attached.
 5. A medical system as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that said guiding member is a substantialhorizontal plate-like element, whereby the edge of said plate-likeelement forms said guiding surface.
 6. A medical system as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that said docking means are located at thelower parts of said devices.
 7. A medical system as claimed in claim 1,characterized by coupling means for fixing said first part to saidsecond part of the docking means after the two parts are moved towardseach other.
 8. A medical system as claimed in claim 7, characterized inthat said coupling means comprise two protrusions of said second partand two corresponding recesses in said first part, the recesses beinglocated at both substantial vertical opposite sides of said first part.9. A medical system as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that saidrecesses and portions of said first part near said recesses can movetowards each other.
 10. A medical system as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the docking means comprise a connector for powerand/or signals, which connector comprises a first portion in said firstpart and a second portion in said second part of the docking means,whereby said portions are movable towards each other for mutualengagement after both said devices are connected to each other.
 11. Amedical system for examination or treatment of a patient, comprising anexamination device, a patient support device, and docking means forconnecting both said devices to each other, the docking means comprisinga first part provided with a guiding member having a guiding surface anda second part provided with guiding elements for contacting the aguiding surface, whereby each of said parts is attached to one of saiddevices, characterized in that the guiding member comprises twosubstantially vertical guiding surfaces, positioned symmetrically withrespect to a vertical plane through the device to which the first partof the docking means is attached, whereby the distance between said twoguiding surfaces decreases further away from the device to which saidfirst part is attached, characterized in that said guiding member ismovable with respect to the said first part of the docking means.
 12. Amedical system for examination or treatment of a patient, comprising anexamination device, a patient support device, and docking means forconnecting both said devices to each other, the docking means comprisinga first part provided with a guiding member having a guiding surface anda second part provided with guiding elements for contacting the guidingsurface, whereby each of said parts is attached to one of said devices,characterized in that the guiding member comprises two substantiallyvertical guiding surfaces, positioned symmetrically with respect to avertical plane through the device to which the first part of the dockingmeans is attached, whereby the distance between said two guidingsurfaces decreases further away from the device to which said first partis attached, characterized by damping means for braking down themovement of the guide member when it reaches its final position wherebythe two parts of the docking means are interconnected.
 13. A medicalsystem as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that said means fordamping comprise a pneumatic cylinder counter-acting the movement of theguiding member, especially the last portion of the movement towards thedevice to which said first part is attached.